Esperanza (Brides Dock On Portum Island!) #1

Untitled Part 9

Chapter 8

Esperanza was grateful when she stepped foot into her new home. It needed a ton of work, and a good scrubbing. But first, she had to take care of dinner. She wasn't about to eat more of that frozen pizza. Sighing, she opened the freezer and smiled when she spotted a frozen whole chicken. She'd make that for her cranky mother-in-law. But that night, she settled for pasta and meat sauce. She was way too sore to bother with anything else. After defrosting the ground beef, Esperanza poured water in one pot, and began making meat sauce in the other. Asher strolled into the house and plopped down at the kitchen table.

"So you can cook," Asher excitedly said.

"I can, and I can cut hair as well. I will work on your hair tomorrow," she announced.

"Why does my hair matter? I should just let it grow out," Asher figured.

"My husband is not walking around with that kind of hair. People are going to assume that I'm not taking care of you," Esperanza insisted as she began browning the meat.

"You can take care of me by feeding me," Asher reasoned. Esperanza ignored her husband as she moved around the kitchen. It took little time for her to finish with the pasta. After serving up two steaming plates, she placed them at the table. She then grabbed silverware for both of them and two bottled waters.

"You know, you're going to help me around the house," Esperanza warned. "I do like to cook, but it's important for you to pull your own weight." Asher's horrified expression made her laugh.

"You say this now. But you'll quit once you see how much of a disaster I am in the kitchen."

"How bad?" Esperanza asked as she took a bite.

"I once started a fire in my mother's kitchen. The worst part is I'm not sure how I did it," he admitted.

Esperanza let out a groan.

"Well, first I'd like to order a few things online. Then I want to shop for some new clothes for you. Some of your shirts look worn," she noted.

"Emma's brother-in-law is the closest tailor," he warned, which made Esperanza grin.

"I'm sure she'd love to help you pick out clothes. I bet she has a binder full of designs just waiting for you," Esperanza sarcastically responded, before taking a sip of her water.

"But her husband, Brad, would rather put a fist in my gut," Asher warned. He seemed to enjoy her cooking, taking heaping mouthfuls. Esperanza couldn't help but wonder if he was comparing his cooking to Emma's. She knocked that thought out of her brain, not wanting to let the woman put doubts in her mind. The kisses that they had shared had been wonderful. His presence alone made her stomach feel like it was full of butterflies. She liked him and knew that they could be happy together.

"Thank you for that delicious meal," Asher said as he got to his feet.

"No problem. Just remember, one day you'll be making a delicious meal," she teased, which made Asher shudder.

"Let's learn how to cook in the home of my worst enemy," he suggested. "I'm fond of this house." He walked out of the room, not even bothering to put his plate in the sink. Yup, her handsome man really needed some training.

After Esperanza finished the dishes, she decided on a bath. After all, she was sore. She didn't mind riding a horse. It was great, especially when she got to wrap her arms around him. But she wasn't going to get one anytime soon. She strolled into the bathroom, and her jaw dropped.

"At least I'm good at this, right?" Asher said as he straightened. The bath looked inviting, with bubbles dancing on the surface. Incense had been lit, filling the air with the scent of eucalyptus.